Model dressed in GAP

 This year The PlayGround Theatre literally rocked the Ritz-Carlton South Beach on Sunday with its annual Tea at the Ritz to raise funds for its education and outreach programs.  Barton G. known for his creative genius of “all things delicious,” produced a rockin’ roll event with Guitar Hero and Band Hero stations where fans channeled their inner rock star.  The Ritz-Carlton South Beach served up scrumptious kid friendly bites, including  sliders, bite sized pizza, and an ice cream bar with every mix in imaginable.  Also in the “scrumptious” category was WSVN/Deco Drive’s Louis Aguirre, who served as Master of Ceremonies to the annual Fashion Show featuring styles from the Gap, IOS of Coconut Grove, and Kidding Around, amping up the already excited crowd. The highlight of the Tea was when LIVE! School of Music students took the stage and played old school ballads such as the ever popular “Sweet Child of Mine” and Joan Jett’s “I Love Rock and Roll.”  The pint-sized rock stars were a hit, working the kids and their parents into frenzy. 

Jorge and Irene Korge

More than 1,200 party animals, the human kind, united at the Zoological Society of Florida’s Annual Fundraiser, Feast with the Beasts at Miami’s Metro Zoo, where diners feasted on great food from over 40 top restaurants, (Ruth’s Chris Steak House, Gotham Steak, Kitchen 305, Town Kitchen and Bar) and open bars serving premium liquors keeping guests warm during the cool evening.  Belly dancers, fire dancers, and wild animal encounters delighted partygoers at every turn throughout the night.  The Miami Heat Dancers kicked off Ron Magill’s Spectacular Dance Party that got everyone in the mood to burn off some calories and dance the night away.

 Special dignitaries at the wild fundraiser included Commissioners Jose “Pepe” Diaz, Sally Heyman, Katy Sorenson and County Manager George Burgess.  Broadcast news anchors: Dan Le Batard, Lissette Gonzalez, and Bob Mayer.

 For more information on future events visit www.miamimetrozoo.com.

Elaine Lancaster, Tara Solomon, and Nick D'Annuzio

While celebrity sightings were slim to none over the weekend, thanks to the Academy Awards being held out west, we had our fair share of former Oscar® winners, including:  Francesca Lo Schiavo and Brigitte Berman at Miami’s own edition of Oscar® Sunday as Miami Beach Film Society’s Cinematheque hosted the official local celebration of the Academy of Motion Picture Arts and Sciences’ Oscar Night® America (ONA) party at Smith & Wollensky. MBC was selected by the Academy for the eighth year in a row to host and be the beneficiary of the event. $50,000 was raised to fund MBC’s upcoming move to Miami Beach City Hall this summer.  VIP guests included:  Viktor Solnicki (producer of Hugh Hefner: Playboy, Activist, and Rebel); Jesper Ganslandt, director of The Ape; Calin Peter Netzer, director of Medal of Honor; architect Scott Weinkle; interior designer Jeffrey Barone; Diana and Alan Lieberman; Michael Gongora; Alitza Weiss; Lily Zanardi; Elaine Lancaster, Nick D’Annunzio, Tara Solomon and MBC Founder Dana Keith.

Basketball pros Kobe Bryant and Dwyane Wade dined at Mr. Chow last Wednesday night. Seated a few tables away was Wade’s fellow Heat player Rafer Alston.

Scott Disick has been spotted all over the Gansevoort South, stopping by Coco de Ville for the “Favela Chic” party hosted by The ONE Group and One Fifty, on Tuesday.  On Saturday he spent the day poolside at Plunge rooftop and Monday night he and a group of five others enjoyed STK during a business meeting.  Disick was seen at Mokai on Monday night, where Jerry Bruckheimer was spotted on Saturday during the grand opening.

Our favorite space in Wynwood, Cafeina will be hosting a monthly Canadian-themed party named, “The Eh Team” in honor of our neighbors to the north starting this Friday, March 12 at 9:00 p.m.  Hosts include: Michelle Leshem, Sasha Lauzon and Maxwell Blandford (who will be spinning), Jochy Ortiz, and a few others.

Colorado music heavyweights Pnuma Trio and Big Gigantic bring their unique brands of livetronica to Florida for a five-show run March 15-20 that includes a show on March 18 at The White Room. Pnuma Trio will showcase the powerful improvisation that propelled them onto the scene.  Opening act Big Gigantic combines DJ elements with a live band setup and dynamic sax solos, and dance beats. Together Pnuma Trio and Big Gigantic offer two explosive sets of musical exploration routed in the lush electro/jam style. All shows are 18 and over and tickets are available at http://www.glittergluproductions.com/.

Lea and Roy Black

The Blacks’ Annual Gala hosted by power-couple Lea and Roy Black took place right smack in the middle of the South Beach Wine and Food Festival, on Saturday, February 27 at the Fontainebleau.  Known for hosting one of the coolest events every year, with the most eclectic guest list and entertainment roster, the Blacks hosted over 700 guests during this year’s 15th anniversary gala. One hundred percent of the ticket sales and auction proceeds benefited The Consequences Charity, Educate Tomorrow, I have a Dream and Project Medishare for Haitian relief efforts founded by internationally renowned physician, Dr. Barth Green.  Uber Diva, Elaine Lancaster, served as Celebrity Hostess, a role she has valued dearly for eight years in a row.  After the reception and silent auction, guests enjoyed a 4-course meal and special musical performances, the first of which was a soulful saxophone rendition of Bob Seger’s “Turn the Page” by Alto Reed, quite fitting for a benefit for the Consequences  Charity, which is primarily devoted to helping troubled youths do just that. 

Latin Pop sensation, Paulina  Rubio took the mic next, followed by Grammy Award-winning Artist Natalie Cole, who got guests to their feet to slow dance (when was the last time you did That?), especially when she sang crowd pleaser, “Unforgettable.” Platinum Recording Artist Rick Ross performed next.  We did say “eclectic” did we not? Read the rest here »

Just in time for Spring Break and WMC, which hits our shores on March 23, are two new offerings in the club department:  Coco de Ville and Mokai 2010.  Coco de Ville, the LA transplant set up shop in the Gansevoort Hotel during Super Bowl weekend and has been getting lots of attention from cool kids and club rats ever since.  Coco De Ville’s Roy Alpert describes the vibe “like your hanging out at someone’s beach house. The programming is open format with more NY, LA style feel. The space is small so we keep the door pretty tight but if you show up with good energy and a good attitude them I am sure you won’t be hassled.”

Man-about-town, TARA, Ink. Principal, Nick D’Annunzio raves, “I love Coco De Ville. It’s the hottest spot in Miami, with the toughest door. You have to have a table or be genetically blessed to get in. I am not sure who is better looking, the crowd or the staff. And I am gaga over one of their signature drinks the Coco Cotton Candy. I die!”

 Up the street from Coco, Mokai re-opened last weekend with a new look and new ownership.  At the helm of Mokai 2010 is the Opium Group, which owns other South Beach hotspots, WALL, SET, Louis, Mansion, and Cameo, in addition to Opium Hard Rock and Prive up north.  The “new” Mokai’s facelift includes “eye popping cherry-red sofas, black lacquered walls, lipstick-pink panels, an ‘Alice In Wonderland’ array of custom-designed chandeliers, and a Baccarat-inspired chandelier pit – a modern take on a traditional fireplace –  Mokai’s design embraces modern New York sensibility and Miami joie de vivre,” according  to Vanessa Menkes, Opium Group’s vice president of communications. Mokai’s innovative music programming will include a mix of house music, open format, and electro formats.  Weekly parties will be announced soon.